Islooites show eagerness in first-ever local government elections in Islamabad

Islamabad
Enthusiastic voters of all age groups thronged various polling stations in the federal capital in the early morning to cast their votes in the first-ever local government elections on Monday.
Despite working day, voters showed great interest in casting their votes.
The polling stations of rural areas in particular witnessed long queues and a large turnout of women. A high turnout of women was recorded in rural areas where polling staff facilitated voters without any break.
However, there had been reports of delay in start of polling process apparently due to late arrival of polling staff. The lengthy procedure of data entry for casting votes as every voter has to cast almost six votes caused delays and problems for all voters, especially women, in some polling stations.
The voters faced delay in start of polling process in UC-29, UC-50 Golra, UC-1 Saidpur in Ward No. 2 and Ward No. 3, UC-45 Jhangi Syedan, UC-25 F-6/1, UC-27 G-6/3, UC-19, UC-8, UC-6 Phulgaran and UC-9 Chirah.
Similarly, there was tension between PML-N and PTI supporters in UC-19, Union Council Barri Imam, UC-6 Phulgaran and UC-41 I-9. The law enforcement agencies, including rangers, reached the spot to cool down temperatures.
A bride has also cast her vote at UC-10 in polling station number 9 in Kirpa on her marriage day.
There were over 676,000 registered voters, while 2,400 candidates were vying for the seats of chairman, vice chairman and councillor. Meanwhile, elaborate arrangements were made to ensure security during elections.
An unprecedented enthusiasm was witnessed among voters who reached the polling stations before the start of polling. But, voters had to wait as the polling staff was not ready to facilitate them early in the morning.
As soon as the polling started, long queues were seen at different polling stations in Kirpa, Sihala, Model Town, Bhara Kahu, Margalla Town, Chirah, Golra, Nurpur Shahan, Tarnol and several other localities.
The process was reported to be smooth as elaborate security and polling arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair elections.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Tahir Alam visited polling stations and expressed satisfaction over the situation.
In all, 625 army troops and 700 personnel of Rangers besides police were deployed in the capital for the purpose. A total of 1,000 FC personnel also helped to maintain law and order during polling. The Election Commission of Pakistan had set up a control room for the Local Government Elections in Islamabad.
Talking to ‘The News,’ voters belonging to different union councils in the federal capital expressed their interest in elections.
Muhammad Rafaqat, a voter at Union Council Sihala, said that the stationery provided by the ECP was of poor quality. He also complained that polling staff reached late.
A housewife, at Bhara Kahu polling station in UC-4, said that she had been standing for two hours. “People from various political parties are giving pick and drop to their voters, but I have come here on foot,” she said. “I have no affiliation with any party but I feel it’s our national obligation to cast votes so I’m here waiting for my turn,” she said.
Riaz Ahmed from Union Council No-19 appreciated law enforcement agencies for security arrangements.
The polling process was quite slow in city areas because most of the people remained at work, as there was no public holiday for the elections, said Yasmeen Tahir, a workingwoman.